Carrickfergus businessman honoured for lifetime’s work in roofing industry

A Carrickfergus businessman has paid tribute to his family and colleagues after being named in the New Year Honours list.
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Gordon Charles Penrose, managing director of Penrose Roofing Ltd, has been awarded an MBE for his services to the roof slating and tiling industry.

The prestigious award from the Queen recognises a lifetime’s work in the industry.

Gordon said: “I am incredibly honoured to receive this award. I could not have achieved this without the support and help of my family, friends and colleagues in the roofing industry.”

Gordon Penrose receives an MBE in the New Year Honours list.Gordon Penrose receives an MBE in the New Year Honours list.
Gordon Penrose receives an MBE in the New Year Honours list.

Over the past 60 years Gordon has been involved in many associations. He is currently president of the Institute of Roofing, past president of National Federation of Roofing Contractors, past president of the International Federation for the Roofing Trades, livery member of the Worshipful Company of Tilers and Bricklayers (London Guild), Freeman of the City of London, Belfast Ambassador and honorary life member of the Polish Roofing Federation.

He has also served two terms as chairman of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NI Region) and chaired the National Federation of Roofing Contractors competitions committee, which had the responsibility for organising roofing competitions including the selection of teams for the UK SkillBuild and IFD World Championships.

Gordon was instrumental in bringing the IFD congress and world championship roofing competitions to Belfast in 2010 and also the IOR conference to Belfast in 2012.

Through his role as director of the Northern Ireland Roof Training Group, he had the responsibility along with others in helping to create apprenticeship training for young people within the industry.

Gordon says it has always been his ambition to provide a career path for young people through apprenticeship training, progressing to professional roofing qualifications through the Institute of Roofing, thus giving them a route to a recognised career in the roofing industry.

Click here to read: New Year honours for east Antrim’s business and community leaders.

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